Investigation of Predictors and Help-Seeking Behaviour of Intimate Partner Violence Among Male Local Government Workers in Ekiti State
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26463/rjns.15_1_6Keywords:
Spousal abuse, Partner abuse, Cheating, Extramarital affairs, Men, Emotional abuse, FamilyAbstract
Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) against men is a globally prevalent issue. IPV committed against men involves a multifaceted dynamic of personal, relational, and environmental influences.
Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictors of IPV and help-seeking behaviours among male local government workers in Ekiti state.
Methods: This study employed a quantitative cross-sectional design, using a multistage sampling method to survey 218 respondents from six local government areas in Ekiti State. An adapted questionnaire served as the instrument for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis.
Results: The respondents' average age was 43 years, with nearly 68% aged between 36-51 years. About 79% of the participants were married with an average relationship duration of 13 years. The study identified the most common causes of IPV as misunderstandings (40.8%), infidelity (46%), and poverty (31.7%). The study further noted that 70.2% of the respondents demonstrated a negative help-seeking behaviour, while 56.0% reported IPV to religious leaders.
Conclusion: It is concluded that the help-seeking behaviour of men exposed to IPV is poor. Nurses and other healthcare providers should collaborate to identify men experiencing psychological symptoms as a result of IPV, develop strategic interventions to eliminate predictors of IPV, and provide the necessary support.
References
1. Kolbe V, Büttner A. Domestic violence against men-prevalence and risk factors. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2020;117(31-32):534-541.
2. Center for Disease Control (CDC). Fast facts: Preventing intimate partner violence [Internet]. Retrieved 4 December 2023. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/fastfact.html
3. Oseni TIA, Salam TO, Ilori T, et al. Prevalence and pattern of intimate partner violence among men and women in Edo State, Southern Nigeria. Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med 2022;14(1):e1-e7.
4. Larsen MM. Health inequities related to intimate partner violence against women: The role of social policy in the United States, Germany, and Norway. Springer; 2016. p. 110-111.
5. Garcia-Vergara E, Almeda N, Fernández-Navarro F, et al. Risk assessment instruments for intimate partner femicide: A systematic review. Front Psychol 2022;13:896901.
6. Gupta J. What does coronavirus mean for violence against women? [online] 2020 [cited 2024 Sep 25]. Available from: https://womensmediacenter.com/ news-features/what-does-coronavirus-mean-forviolence-against-women
7. Lövestad S, Krantz G. Men’s and women’s exposure and perpetration of partner violence: an epidemiological study from Sweden. BMC Public Health 2012;12(1):945.
8. Barrett BJ, Peirone A, Cheung CH. Help seeking experiences of survivors of intimate partner violence in Canada: The role of gender, violence severity, and social belonging. Journal of Family Violence 2020;35(1):15-28.
9. Leemis RW, Friar N, Khatiwada S, et al. The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2016/2017 report on intimate partner violence. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2022.
10. Tsui V. Male victims of intimate partner abuse: use and helpfulness of services. Social Work 2014;59(2):121-30.
11. Oyediran K, Spencer CM, Stith SM. Men as victims of intimate partner violence in Cameroon and Sierra Leone. J Interpers Violence 2023;38(5- 6):5211-5235.
12. Mugenda OM, Mugenda AG. Research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Nairobi: Acts Press; 2003.
13. Lanre AO, Olugbenga OO, Adenike OB, et al. Assessment of prevalence and forms of violence against married men in Olorunda Local Government of Osun State, Nigeria. Int J Soc Behav Sci 2014;2(1):001-010.
14. Fischer EH, Turner JI. Orientations to seeking professional help: Development and research utility of an attitude scale. J Consult Clin Psychol 1970;35(1):79-90.
15. Bello OA. Perception of intimate partner violence by residents of Enerhen community, Warri, Delta State. International Journal of Management and Social Sciences 2023;6(2):2787-0383.
16. Gibbs A, Jewkes R, Willan S, et al. Associations between poverty, mental health and substance use, gender power, and intimate partner violence amongst young (18-30) women and men in urban informal settlements in South Africa: A crosssectional study and structural equation model. PLoS One 2018;13(10):e0204956.
17. Malik JS, Nadda A. A cross-sectional study of gender-based violence against men in the rural area of Haryana, India. Indian J Community Med 2019;44:35-38.
18. Gubi D, Wandera SO. Prevalence and correlates of intimate partner violence among ever-married men in Uganda: a cross-sectional survey. BMC Public Health 2022;22(1):535.
19. Malihi Z, Fanslow JL, Hashemi L, et al. Factors influencing help-seeking by those who have experienced intimate partner violence: Results from a New Zealand population-based study. PLoS One 2021;16(12):e0261059.
20. Tenkorang EY, Zaami M, Kimuna S, et al. (2021). Help-seeking behaviors of male survivors of intimate partner violence in Kenya. Journal of Family Issues 2021;44(1):187-202.
